Kosovo Civil Society Program (KCSP) purpose is to:

1) Enhance the role of NGOs in advocacy by helping to transform them from reactive service providers into proactive agents of change;

2) Strengthen the institutional capacity of the NGO sector by fostering the development of viable, professional and transparent NGOs;

3) Improve the financial viability and sustainability of NGOs; and

4) Elevate the public image of NGOs.
These KNAP objectives will be achieved through a combination of training, mentoring programs, and grant-making. The program includes:

1. The Advocacy Training and Resource Center (ATRC), that until September 2002, was hosted by The Forum, provides training that combines theory with concrete examples from the region, as well as a forum for discussing and initiating advocacy campaigns. ATRC is responsible for providing training in advocacy, NGO development and management, and gender awareness.

2. Grant-making, implemented by The Foundation for Democratic Initiative (FDI). Linking training to grant-making is a crucial element of KNAP. All successful grant applicants are required to complete KNAP training programs. Grant-making programs are publicly announced. During October 2001 –September 2002 grants were made in the following subject areas:

• Strategic Intervention Grants
Anti-Corruption Program
Policy Analysis Program
Strategic Intervention Advocacy Grants Program

• Training Grants
Training Program – Advocacy in Practice
Mentoring Program
Advocacy Small Grants Program

• Community Grants
Pilot Community Programs
Community Cross-Sectoral Programs

The grant making programs are designed to be flexible and react to initiatives presented by Kosovar NGOs. They will stimulate advocacy efforts in priority areas for the development of Kosovo’s civil society.
KNAP is committed to gender mainstreaming. All beneficiaries of KNAP are required to attend gender awareness training and put into practice balanced gender participation.

3. Legal Support Component. The International Center for Not for Profit Law (ICNL) and its local partner IKDO is implementing the Legal Support Component of KNAP (KNAP-LSC) to help strengthen the ability of the NGO community to play a more active and effective role in advocating on a wide range of issues that confront community groups by developing participatory rules and procedures, particularly at the local level, to ensure more effective NGO advocacy efforts. ICNL will also provide training for NGOs and community leaders on issues related to the legal framework for NGO advocacy and financial viability of the NGO sector. ICNL/IKDO will promote the adoption of an NGO code of ethics to help improve the public image of the NGO sector in Kosovo.

For further information, please contact:
Foundation for Democratic Initiative
Rr. Besim Bishtazhini, Nr. 12
Tel. & Fax. + 381-390-24-068
Gjakova, Kosovo

Advocacy Training and Resource Center
Rr. Agim Ramadani (ish “Ramiz Sadiku”) Nr.15
Tel: +381 38 244 810
Prishtina, Kosovo

KNAP is a cooperative agreement between USAID and East – West Management Institute, Inc. (EWMI). East-West Management Institute, Inc. (EWMI), a U.S. not-for-profit organization, promotes legal and economic reform in developing and transitional economies through technical assistance in privatization, legal and regulatory reform, institutional development, enterprise restructuring, and capital markets development. In addition, recognizing the importance of functioning civil society in strengthening the economic and legal reform processes, EWMI promotes the development of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) by providing grants, training, and international networking opportunities.